Wayna Releases New "Soul and the City" EP

Grammny-nominated, Ethiopian-born singing sensation Wayna is about to open her artistic arsenal and drop an inspired new EP entitled “Soul and the City,” featuring one of DC’s hottest rappers Wale, along with Detroit’s musical mastermind Waajeed, among others. “Soul and the City” is slated for release sometime in late October; but Wayna is already serving her fans a musical aperitif – the “Billyclub Remix” featuring Wale.

The iconic Stevie Wonder has lauded Wayna’s music as “incredible”; and she has been extolled as “a standout on the Indie front” by Billboard Magazine. Accolades notwithstanding, we can see from the “Billyclub Remix,” which harkens back to Run DMC’s “Rock Box,” that “Soul and the City” is different from Wayna’s other projects. Her work on this EP is imbued with a deeper sense of purpose. Her music is emanating from a more profound view of the world we live in - reflecting the joys and pains that shape our existence on this planet.

The “Billyclub Remix,” which condemns police brutality, was inspired by Wayna’s disturbing encounter with the police. In March 2009, in Houston, TX at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (I know…let’s not even go there right now), Wayna was arrested and charged on a third-degree weapons charge for inadvertently packing her stage prop (a billy club) in her carryon luggage. Fortunately, the charges were dropped in “the name of justice,” but only after spending 14 hours in jail and posting $5,000 bail. In the video interview below, it’s evident that this experience with the police left an indelible mark on Wayna; yet it hasn’t dashed her desire to raise awareness about police abuse of authority. In the word’s of In Living Color’s afrocentric feminist and talkshow host Shawanda Harvey, “You are strong; you are beautiful; you are perfect! Go on girl!”

Wayna has some upcoming shows for you to savor “Soul and the City” in person: